- Mercedes previews the next-gen Sprinter through a new sculpture.
- It suggests the van will have a more expressive and upscale design.
- Built on the new VAN platform with multiple configurations available.
Mercedes invented the van in 1896 and the company is gearing up to celebrate “130 Years of Transportation.” While the anniversary is still a few months away, Mercedes‑Benz Vans is kicking off the festivities with the unveiling of “THE BOuLDER.”
It’s a stone-like sculpture that symbolizes “robustness, reliability, versatility, and durability.” More importantly, it previews the design of the next-generation Sprinter.
More: Mercedes Announces New Modular Electric Architecture For Future Vans
The company didn’t say much about the upcoming model, but the sculpture suggests it will have a more expressive front fascia with a larger grille and a pronounced tri-pointed star. They’re joined by a flatter hood, which features taut surfaces.
The rest of the design is unsurprisingly boxy, but it appears the redesigned model will have a more interesting upper profile.
As you can see, there’s a protruding section slightly below the roof. It’s accompanied by subtle sculpting, which should help to improve aerodynamics.
The Next-Generation Sprinter
Putting the sculpture aside, the next-generation Sprinter will ride on the all-new VAN architecture. The platform will be launched on the VLE next year and will eventually underpin both commercial and passenger vehicles.
Mercedes says its commercial derivatives were “developed in close collaboration with customers from various industries” and will offer electric and conventional powertrains.
Buyers will again be able to choose from multiple lengths, wheelbases, and weight classes, which should make it ideal for everything ranging from passenger transport to parcel delivery and use as a camper van.
Mercedes-Benz Vans’ head of development, Andreas Zygan, said “The next generation of Mercedes-Benz vans will focus on innovative powertrains, connectivity, and advanced digital services.”
He added that the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) has been specifically adapted for commercial use and believes the “future Sprinter will be the flagship in its segment more than ever before.”
A Look Back
The Sprinter was introduced in 1995 and over five million have been produced since then. That’s a lot of vans, but the story begins with Benz & Cie in 1896. The company created two delivery vans based on the Victoria and Velociped.
The former featured a 2.7-liter single-cylinder engine with 6 hp, while the latter had a 1.0-liter engine developing 2.75 hp. This enabled them to hit speeds of up to 12 mph (20 km/h), which meant they were faster and could haul more than two-horse carriages.
To help celebrate the upcoming anniversary, the oldest roadworthy van has been meticulously restored. It’s from 1899 and was built under license by Hewetson’s Ltd in England. It has a 3 hp engine and a payload capacity of around 220 lbs (100 kg), plus the driver.
